MICHAEL CARRICK has praised England teammate Daniel Sturridge in the wake of the striker's early season form and suggested he is just part of a new generation of English talent plying its trade in the Premier League.

Speaking ahead of England's World Cup qualifier against Moldova Carrick said he was not surprised by Sturridge's impact at Liverpool now that he is getting regular playing time and is pleased

Carrick said: "He has started the season very well but that is no surprise. He has so much ability and so much talent. He has had a good run of games since he has been at Liverpool. He has done ever so well. We have some real attacking options now [for England], which is nice."

Daniel Sturridge has been in fine form for Liverpool /Getty

He has started the season very well but that is no surprise.

Michael Carrick

And Carrick also stressed that fans have been too quick to judge Manchester United teammate Tom Cleverley's England contribution.

He said: "Someone can have a two, three, four game spell of playing well and all of a sudden they are the new shining light and the answer to all England's problems.

"All of a sudden that same player can be written off a couple of months down the line and he is hopelss, he is no good, get someone else in.

"That is how football has become. As players, you have to learn to deal with it and take a more balanced view. It is unfortunate that is how it is but we are not going to change it overnight. The highs are so high nowadays, when you come back down to earth it can be with a bit of a bump."

Daniel Sturridge scored the winner against United /Getty

Carrick also said he is impressed with the talent in the latest England squad, but stopped short of calling them the next golden generation.

He said: "I don't get too carried away but I see an awful lot of talent.

"The boys who are in the squad this week, there is so much talent there. There is a lot being said about it, some positive, a lot more negative of late.

"I am really confident there is a lot of talent in this country to come through this season and for the years after."

Michael Carrick has defended Tom Cleverley /Getty

Carrick also refuted the idea that there are not enough English players featuring in the Premier League.

He added: "There are still English players at the top level. There are an awful lot of English players in our team [at Manchester United].

"It is easy to say [there aren't enough] but if you are good enough you will get through.

"It probably is becoming harder because of the economic situation and people looking abroad. Now the transfer fees are so high maybe it will come back round to people looking at English players again. Hopefully that is the case.

"It would be nice to see a lot more home-grown talent getting a chance. But it is easy for me to say that. There is a bigger picture."